Microsoft Band 2 removed from Microsoft Store; no immediate plans for third-gen model

posted by Ben R. / Oct 03, 2016, 1:54 PM

Microsoft Band 2 is no longer for sale through Microsoft

The Microsoft Band 2 wearable has been officially pulled from the Microsoft Store. Unlike Redmond's rather ambiguous nixing of Lumia-related products recently, this abrupt move suggests that Microsoft is pulling the plug on the whole concept. According to reports, the Windows maker has also removed the Band 2 from brick-and-mortar outlets, and there's no plan for a new version this year.

The market for wrist-worn gadgetry has taken two concurrent paths -- straight-up smartwatches, and so-called fitness bands. The Microsoft Band 2 is mostly a fitness tracker, but carries one or two smartwatchy features like Cortana integration. It's also priced like a smartwatch -- the $249.99 introductory MSRP was always going to be a tricky sell, even with a healthy bunch of sensors in tow.

The Microsoft Band 2 has been removed from the Microsoft Store and while a dedicated site remains for the device, it no longer allows would-be customers to make the purchase. You can still grab the Band 2 from some resellers like Amazon, though Dell and Best Buy are among those who've removed their Band 2 listings.

According to a statement from Microsoft shared by ZDNet:

We have sold through our existing Band 2 inventory and have no plans to release another Band device this year. We remain committed to supporting our Microsoft Band 2 customers through Microsoft Stores and our customer support channels and will continue to invest in the Microsoft Health platform, which is open to all hardware and apps partners across Windows, iOS, and Android devices.

With competitors like Fitbit and even Xiaomi offering a wealth of feature-rich fitness bands at much lower price points, the company's fanciful Band idea hasn't seemed to get off the ground. Even though Microsoft promises continued support, it's unlikely to be seen through with much gusto if, as suspected, the firm is drawing the line under the Band project.

Of course, it's still possible that Microsoft will debut a third-gen point in the future, if not in 2016. Given the rather unceremonious end for the Band 2 almost a year to the day of its announcement, though, we're not counting on it.

The Microsoft Band 2 in pictures

View more + 33 images

source: ZDNet via Windows Central

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10 Comments

1. piyath

Posts: 2445; Member since: Mar 23, 2012

Innovation! Lol

posted on Oct 03, 2016, 2:24 PM 0

2. jeroome86

Posts: 2314; Member since: Apr 12, 2012

Good to see they will still support this along with the Zune also.

posted on Oct 03, 2016, 2:34 PM 1

3. surethom

Posts: 1731; Member since: Mar 04, 2009

Not even a portrait clock mode bad software support that's why numbers are lower than they could have been.

posted on Oct 03, 2016, 3:06 PM 0

4. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Boo, best smartband ever.

posted on Oct 03, 2016, 3:21 PM 2

5. Crispin_Gatieza

Posts: 3168; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

Don't know what you're all smoking, the Band 2 is an excellent device with more features than most wearables. Throw in support for iOS and Android and you have a cross-platform beast. The apps were all updated last week so I don't know what the "bad support" fuss is. If this were made by Apple or any Android OEM it would be the best thing since rum and Coke. But since it's Microsoft, it has to be trash.

posted on Oct 03, 2016, 3:25 PM 5

6. jroc74

Posts: 6023; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

Wonder when they will do this for Win Mo? They are dragging it out for no reason.

posted on Oct 03, 2016, 3:38 PM 0

7. xq10xa

Posts: 810; Member since: Dec 07, 2010

Never used it. Seems like a saturated market but I thought they would do good because everyone has a Windows pc.

posted on Oct 03, 2016, 4:52 PM 0

8. Commentator

Posts: 3723; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

Like how Windows Phone did well because everyone has a WIndows PC, or Zune, or Bing, or Internet Explorer?

posted on Oct 03, 2016, 6:59 PM 3

10. jroc74

This reminds me, some WP, Win Mo, MS fans said when MS made Win 10 available it was gonna be huge for Win Mo because it would all be seen as one. How long has Win 10 been out? I really am surprised that MS isnt counting Win Mo devices, desktops, tablets all as one tho. I thought they would do that to muddy the waters.

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 7:14 AM 0

9. Neoberry99

Posts: 79; Member since: Jun 30, 2015

I bought 2 of these things. Both went back to best buy because of the software. The band never split like some have complained about in other forums. Oh well...